Electromedical apparatus



May 16, 1950 E. LElBOWlTSCH-BERGE 2,507,572

ELECTROMEDICAL APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1947 IN vewrnt fung /w:Znpau/racq $ERGE Patented May 16, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEApplication June 25, 1947, Serial No. 757,007 In Great Britain January10, 1947 2 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical apparatus for the treatment of theskin, in which there is provided a source of pulsating current togetherwith means for introducting intermittency in the form of low or highfrequency currents, e. g. an induction coil connected to a source ofelectrical energy, such as a dry cell, or a main supply in conjunctionwith a transformer and if necessary a rectifier, and in which the lowvoltage direct high or low frequency currents are applied to the skin bymeans of applicator electrodes, another electrode, i. e. the returnelectrode being connected to a convenient part of the person permanentlyduring treatment. More particularly the present invention relates toapparatus of this type intended for facial treatment, and the chiefobject of the invention is to provide apparatus whereby the intermittentunidirectional current may be applied by the user of the apparatuseasily to various contours of the face in a highly efficacious manner.Another object of the invention is to provide a compact portable form ofapparatus by which self-treatment may be effected.

According to the present invention electrical 1.

apparatus for the treatment of the skin comprises a container for theaccomodation of means for connecting electrodes to the source ofelectrical energy in a controlled manner, and carrying a set ofapplicator electrodes adapted to be applied selectively to the part ofthe body to be treated, a handle comprising a return electrode. means toconnect the applicator electrodes selectively to said return electrode,said return electrode being adapted to be held in the hand, and meanscarried by the return electrode to connect it and the appropriateapplicator electrode in the operative circuit of the source ofelectrical energy.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readilycarried into effect drawings are appended hereto illustrating anembodiment thereof, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the container open with theelectrodes exposed.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of a ball and socket type ofelectrode.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a roller electrode, and

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section showing the return electrode with anapplicator electrode fitted to it.

Referring to the drawings the electrical massaging apparatus comprises abox I having an inclined panel 2 forming an integral part of the box 4which is preferably a sheet metal box suitably ornamented at its edgesby beading 3, which can also serve as the means for uniting the endWalls of the top panel and front and rear walls. The box 1 isaccommodated within an outer stout leather or other suitable casing 5,having a lid 5 within which are provided clips 6 for the support of theelectrodes hereinafter described. A normally flush-fitting handle 1 isprovided in a narrow horizontal top portion 8 of the panel 2 to enablethe box I to be removed when it is desired to have access to its base,which in well known manner, is provided with a hinged flap closing acompartment containing a battery. A warning device in the form of anelectric bulb 9 can be provided in the panel 2 for indicating when thebattery requires replacing, the socket terminals for this lamp beingconnected by leads to spring contacts on the battery in well knownmanner.

The electrodes comprise a return electrode in the form of a metalliccylindrical handle Ill adapted to be grasped in the hand, and applicatorelectrodes, hereinafter described, which are selectively connected tothe return electrode.

The return electrode has fixedly threaded into one end thereof so as tolie in smooth continuity therewith, an insulating cap l3 in which isscrewed a plug It which is prolonged to form a screw 5 for engaging in asocket 2| of the selected applicator electrode. The return electrode i0is connected to a lead l2 by any suitable means, e. g. by pinching theexposed end of this lead between the inner end of the insulating cap l3and the opposed annular surface of the interior of the electrode M,which inner end preferably takes the form of threaded boss l3 engagingin a correspondingly threaded socket in the appropriate end of thehandle or return electrode 25. The screw it can press against theexposed end of a lead I l as shown or be otherwise connected to thislead.

Four applicator electrodes are shown by way of example and one of themtakes the form of a metallic roller l6 supported for rotation in a widefork 11, i. e. a U-shaped fork which has a transverse dimensionconsiderably greater than the length of each of its side limbs, thecentral part of this fork having extending from it a threaded socket I 8adapted to receive the threaded end it: of the return electrode. Theends of the roller have smooth rounded edges [6 to obviate sharp edgesliable to contact the skin.

Two of the applicator electrodes comprise C) stylus shaped electrodes,in the form of elongated conical metallic members l9 each having apartspherical free end 20, its other end comprising a cylindrical socket2| adapted to thread on to the threaded extension 15 of the returnelectrode. These latter applicator electrodes are particularly suitablefor engaging in folds of the neck or creases of the face, and byproviding a set of them having different dimensions of partsphericalends, various parts of the face and neck can be treated intimately bydirect engagement therewith of the electrodes.

The latter mentioned part-spherical ends of the elongated conicalstylus-like electrodes can vary in diameter as from c. g. 50f an inch toI; of an inch in diameter, this being a convenient range of size for thedesired treatment. However, it is also desirable to produce smoothpressure and rolling over larger areas than is obtainable by thepart-spherical ends of the aforesaid electrodes, and consequentlyanother electrode is provided also having a socket 2! (see Figure 2)threaded. for receiving the screwthreaded end 15 of the handle: l9 andflared into a relatively larger diameter ball head taking the form ofpart-spherical cup 22 in which is accommodated substantially more thanhalf of a metallic ball 23 so that a smooth rolling action is obtained.The-cup 22: can; include an annular cap 22' screwedcor pressed upon thebody portion which is integral; with the part containing the socket 2|.The ball 23v ispressed against the mouth of the cap 22 by a spring 24between which and the ball 23* are interposed friction reducing balls,23.

If desired, the applicator electrodes 19 can have straight axesco-axial' with the threaded end of the handle l0; or if desired asshown, and as in fact is preferred, the; stems of these electrodes canbe cranked approximately midway between the ends-thereof so the ballhead is offset laterally relatively to the'axis of the handle, thisbeing found to be convenient in obtaining access to certain parts of theface and neck.

For the treatment of the hair an applicator electrode is provided in theform of a metal comb 26, the back of which is attached at one end to asocket 2| adapted to be, fitted upon the threaded end l5 of: the; handleID.

The leads II and 12' of the return electrode are connected; to plugs I!and 2' carried by a common insulator 1.0 which plug into: socketterminals 25 and: 26 respectively of the panel 2, these terminals 25'and 28 being connected in well known manner to abattery and induction ormedical coil. A rotary control member 21 is provided for the aforesaidinduction coil.

I claim:

1. A combined applicator and return electrode device for use inelectrical apparatus for the treatment of the skin comprising, a returnelectrode formed as a metal rod-like conducting handle portion with anaxial bore terminating at one end in an enlarged concentric socket, aninsulating cap with a boss fixed in said socket, a bore in said capco-extensive with the aforesaid bore and socket and enlarged at itsfront end to form a socket, a terminal member fixed in the latter socketand having an exposed threaded front end part, an applicator electrodedetachably threaded to said threaded front end part, a sheathed leadpassing along the first mentioned bore and having an exposed end pressedinto engagement with the socketed part of the handle portion, andanother sheathed lead passed through both of said bores and having anend exposed in the socket of said cap and engaged with said terminalmember.

2. A- combined applicator and return electrode device for use inelectrical apparatus for the treatment of the skin, comprising acylindrical metal.- rod with an axial bore, a socket in one end of therod formed in prolongation with said bore, an insulating cap of the samediameter as the said rod and having a concentric boss screwed into. saidsocket so that the said insulating cap lies in continuity with the saidmetal rod, a bore through said cap formed in continuity with the saidbore of the metal rod, 2. socket in the end of the. cap remote from themetal rod, a terminal plug screwed at one end in said cap socket andthreaded at its other end, an applicator electrode threaded at one endon to the latter end of the said terminal plug, a sheathed lead threadedalong the bore of the said metal rod and exposed at an end terminatingin the socket of the metal rod and pressed into electrical connectionwith the metal rod by the boss of the said cap, and a further sheathedlead passed through both of the said bores and having an exposed end inthe socket of the said cap and engaged with the-said plug terminal.

EUGENIE LEIBOWITSCH-BERGE.

REFERENCES JI'EED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number- Name Date 419,731 Stanley Jan. 21, 1890564,258 Rossback July 21, 1896 591,160 Dow Oct. 5, 1897. 642,849 OttoFeb. 7, 1900 1,614,760 Niedermann Jan. 18, 1927

